A Low Maintenance Groundcover, or...

                            'What Mark Did on His Summer Vacation'

As a horticulturist even when on vacation you are never far from the work you love; as I found out when I was on vacation a couple of weeks ago in northern New Hampshire. My wife Christine and I visited a small state park to find a field carpeted and bursting with low-bush blueberries! It was an incredible find and within half an hour we picked about 2 quarts of blueberries and made an unbelievably tasty pie the next day. YUM!

So I began to think about the typical landscape and what we all might be missing out on. Take a look at the following attributes:

1)       One of our Northeast native plants

2)      Thrives in native acidic, hot dry, low fertility,  poor soils

3)      Can grow as a low, shrubby ground cover

4)      Appears to have little if any serious insect and disease  problems in its native habitat

5)      Has great red fall color

6)      Produces excellent small blueberries - think: pies

7)      Very low maintenance

So consider low-bush blueberry a great plant to add to your next landscape job!

FYI- An interesting fact is that bumble bees are important pollinators of blueberries. They fly at cooler temperatures and have a longer workday than honey bees. They also have the long mouth parts for deep throated flowers and their bodies vibrate at a high rate which helps shake the pollen loose from the flowers. Since they begin their season earlier than honey bees you can help attract them by providing an earlier spring bloomer like Pussy Willow (Salix discolor).  

Lavandula angustifolia l.-r. 'Hidcote', 'Provence', 'Munstead'

common name

• You need a minimum of 6 hours of full sun - southern exposure is the best
• Sharp drainage is a MUST, especially in winter
• Add lime to the soil to bring the pH up to 6.5-7 (Ellen adds pelletized lime in spring and fall)
• Sand is also added to the soil for drainage and to keep it loose
• She does not recommend mulch - she uses crushed stone instead
• Do not fertilize - they thrive in poor soil
• She prunes them back lightly in fall right before the first light frost (she calls it "a buzz cut") - that keeps them tight through the winter so the snow doesn't break them apart

CNLA Fall Programs

Looking for some interesting classes this fall? Take a look at CNLA's fall programs which include:

CNLA Open House with Jeff Scott (former owner of Glen Gate Company). He has two talks: 'Marketing to the Affluent - How to Find, Sell and Keep a Wealthy Client' and

'The 7 Habits of Highly Successful CEOs - for Leaders in the Landscape Industry' Thursday, September 8th 4:30 pm (includes dinner) at Nonnewaug High Ag Center, Woodbury, CT

 'The Best Methods for Planting' which is a field demo program getting into the science behind installing plants. Richard Weir is the instructor.  September 10th 1-3pm at the Coop Extension Center, Norwich, CT

'Organic Lawn Renovation' will cover soil testing, using compost & compost teas, organic fertilizers, seed mixes and seeding methods.  Sept 10th, 9:30 - 12 noon at Coop Extension Center, Norwich, CT

Click on above links for cost and registration - or pick up a postcard with the information the next time you're in one of our sales offices. It's always good to learn something new!

House 58 in Newtown -  full of fresh Azaleas!

In This Week: Azaleas
 

Deciduous Trees and Shrubs
Azaleas 'Delaware Valley White', 'Gumpo Pink/White', 'Hino Crimson', 'Hot Shot', 'Silver Sword', 'Tradition' 3 gallon

Rosa 'Double Knockout', 'Pink Double Knockout', 'Pink Knockout', 'The Fairy',

3 gallon, 'New Dawn' 5 gallon - Need some companions for roses? Try Lavender, Catmint, Russian Sage and ornamental grasses.

Dwarf English Boxwood 3 gallon

Broadleaf and Ornamental Evergreens
Buxus microphylla 'Winter Gem' 24-30"

B. sempervirens (American Boxwood) 15-20", 18-21", 24-28"

B. s.'Suffruticosa' (Dwarf English Boxwood) 3 gallon

Ilex crenata 'compacta', 'Helleri', 'Skypencil', 'Soft Touch'  assorted sizes

I. glabra 'Shamrock' 3 and 5 gallon

I. x 'Dragon Lady' 5/6', 6/7'

Tropicals

All Tropicals 50% Off! There continues to be a nice selection of assorted tropicals.

Have a safe weekend!